Which single will rule beach parties and backyard barbecues this season? Five top contenders ahead of Billboard's June 7 launch of the Songs of the Summer chart -- from Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!" to Drake's "One Dance."
The Story: Co-produced/written by do-no-wrong hitmakers Max Martin and Shellback, Timberlake's fifth solo Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 sounds like an instant wedding-party classic.
Expert Cosign: John Ivey, program director, KIIS-FM Los Angeles. "It's like Pharrell's 'Happy' before you got tired of 'Happy.' It's so easy to hear on one listen. Plus, we've been waiting for something from him for a long time. Roll the car windows down this summer, put on this song and there you go."
The Story: Drake earned his first No. 1 as a lead artist with "Dance," which features a sample of Crazy Cousinz and Kyla's "Do You Mind?" and a tropical, made-for-summer feel.
Expert Cosign: Rich Riley, CEO, Shazam. "This year the competition is particularly tough as there are so many great songs with breakout potential. But 'One Dance' shot straight to No. 1 on the U.S. and U.K. Shazam charts after its release in April and shows no signs of slowing down."
The Story: Don't doubt this EDM duo: Between "Down" and "Roses" (featuring Rozes), it has ruled Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for 19 weeks -- and that's just in 2016.
Expert Cosign: Erik Bradley, music director, WBBM Chicago. "It has been such a huge smash this spring, and is still Shazamming in every key area of the city and suburbs. The drop in that beat is just so anthemic, so massive -- it feels like a song that will continue through the summer."
The Story: Can this duo's melodic new single match its first collaboration? "We Found Love" spent 10 weeks atop the Hot 100 in 2011 -- the longest reign of Rihanna's career.
Expert Cosign: Thea Mitchem, iHeartMedia executive vp programming, Northeast division. "When you're in the club with a drink in hand and Calvin's house beats drop with Rihanna's vocals, the combination just pulls you to the dancefloor. It's infectious."
The Dark Horse: "Don't Mind" by Kent Jones
The Story: This multilingual rap-R&B mashup, which is Jones' debut, is just gathering steam thanks to a cosign from his We the Best label boss, Snapchat king DJ Khaled.
Expert Cosign: Alex Tear, program director, WHYI Miami. "Kent Jones could be a breakout surprise. 'Don't Mind' has got a great vibe for the 'cool-kid lane,' and it's making an early summer imprint."
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